We have had two prior cruises with MSC that we enjoyed very much. This cruise, however, is hands down the worst cruise experience we have ever endured. MSC left this ship horribly understaffed but made sure to fill most, if not all, the cabins with passengers.
Worst of all, they had a group of 400 Expedia agents on board, who were given every single reservation at the specialty restaurants. There was no seating left for regular guests. They also closed down certain venues for private use by the Expedia group, which only exacerbated the crowding of the other public venues.
We enjoyed the island, and made the most of what we could, but this cruise was a big disappointment.
Embarkation
4 out of 5
Check in at Port Canaveral was a breeze, and we were on the ship within a half hour of arriving to the terminal.
Muster check-in was crazy with too many people trying to get to the same place at the same time, and too close to first dinner seating, for which massive lines were already forming.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
1 out of 5
Food was hit or miss. Some items were delicious, while others were absolute fails. Service in the MDR was a chaotic mess. So much confusion, and their practice of doing three seatings for dinner is ridiculous, but it seems like they don't have a choice given how small the dining rooms are compared to how many guests are on board. I heard many people who were given different seating times than other members of their group.
On Ocean Cay there is only one buffet and only one huge line to stand in and wait for over half an hour, rather than setting up food at different stations like at a normal buffet. So poorly organized, it boggles the mind.
Bars were horribly understaffed, resulting in huge lines to get a drink, only to get to the bar and find out they don't have the ingredients needed to make half the drinks on their menu, and the cocktails they can make, they can't seem to make correctly. Don't bother to order their promoted special drink of the day.. they don't have the necessary ingredients for that, either.
Onboard Activities
2 out of 5
Water slides are great, but enjoy them while you are in port. If you try to ride them on a sea day, the crowds and lines will make it not worth your while.
Zip line is frequently not open during advertised hours and if there's so much as a slight breeze, they close it.
Entertainment
2 out of 5
The one production show we saw was Peter Punk, which was enjoyable, but bizarre. Very true to MSC shows we have seen in the past, it's a loosely-connected variety show with talented individual circus-like acts that have nothing to with each other. The two vocalists were impossible to understand as they were over amplified and background too loud. And then a random guy in a dinosaur costume runs out on stage periodically.
Don't bother getting a drink to enjoy during the shows. They won't let you bring it into the theater. Unbelievable.
Service and Staff
3 out of 5
Most staff tried, and a few genuinely cared, but it was apparent that the ship was just absolutely too understaffed to adequately service the massive number of guests on board.
Ship Quality
3 out of 5
The ship, like other MSC vessels, is beautiful and (usually) very clean. The ship layout is awkward, though. Too much of the front of the ship is only accessible to Yacht Club guests, and certain upper decks feel like dead-ends that don't allow you to get anywhere. There's not a beautiful solarium space like on their other ships, and the closest equivalent, the Jungle Pool, had horrible ventilation that left many seating areas oppressively hot.
Spaces in general, like the dining rooms, casino, and theater are very small compared to the number of guests the ship carries.
Cabin / Stateroom
4 out of 5
Our balcony cabin was narrower than other cabins we have had, but it was clean and comfortable. For the second time on MSC, we had to ask for a top sheet for our bed. I don't know why they seem to think Americans only use a comforter.
Ocean Cay itself was beautiful and relaxing, aside from the massive line for the buffet. We tried snorkeling but most of the available areas have nothing to see. The lighthouse light show was really cool.
They saved the longest line for last. The line to disembark wove all the way to the front of the ship, through the theater (nearly up on the stage) and then wove back around again on the other side. At least it moved fairly fast.
Appreciate your detailed and informative review. I dislike it when a large group takes over a ship,we’ve had it happen a few times. Sorry this cruise didn’t meet your expectations.
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